So I love photographing the west, anything, and everything that has anything to do with the American West. Striving for capturing moments as they are happening, I love being in the midst of a branding, cattle drive, rodeo event, you name it. Cowboys and cowgirls on the working ranch inspire me, so much so that I can feel a shot as I'm depressing the shutter button on my camera. Taking that shot to another level, I add an element of "Fine Art" to each of my images, making them not just a real, honest to goodness, authentic capture, but turning my photographs into art that even the most eclectic art collectors would love.
I travel as much as possible, across the western and southwestern states to capture the west as we all know and love it. The romantic part of it, per seh. I love walking into a restaurant and hearing someone yell my name out of familiarity from a previous visit, "Amanda! Welcome back!" And then to be shown a wall with a new art piece on it, screaming the west with an artistic flair. It makes me feel accomplished, and it makes me happy that someone out there loves my art.
I guess I'm writing this so that any of you who might think that they can't make it to a level of hanging art on walls of clients, you can. Take your art seriously, do it for YOU, the way you like it, the way you feel it. Don't do it for anybody else,create what's in your heart. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, and don't forget to learn from your past, live beyond your mistakes, but learn from them. Ignore those who wish to destroy you, and last but not least embrace the Almighty Father, and have a keen understanding that He gave you this skill. Don't chase your dreams, if God gave the skill....capture them and turn them into works of art.
Good luck and God Bless,
Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer
